Capturing the color and fragrance of Life in art, prose and visuals

Category Archives: Sikkim

One of the most precious earnings of life are the relationships that we nurture through the years.

By accepting, complimenting, encouraging, forgiving, we choose to keep our focus on that which is relevant. By not paying attention to the petty and the temporary we sow seeds for something more lasting.

This photograph is an Ode to my brother and the precious bond he shares with my son. They are both sitting in the ramparts of the Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim, soaking in the chants coming from within and enjoying the atmosphere that only rains in the mountains can create!!

Little Buda peeped from behind a broken wall, eyes alight with curiosity. When I looked up, he retreated behind the wall. After a few minutes of this game, I beckoned him to me. I was sitting on the roof of our homestay in Sikkim and sketching the vast and endless mountains visible from my perch. As he approached me I asked him if he would like to draw something. He nodded shyly and became excited when I gave him a sketch pad and pen. We both sat quietly, each lost in a private world, drawing and colouring. Later, he was called down by someone, who I presumed might be his mother.

It was as we were leaving, that I found out that Buda’s mother had abandoned him and he was being brought up by the entire village. They made sure that he ate, went to school and had a home to come back to…

In our parting photograph with the family that we were staying with, Buda was on the hip of our hostess, smiling into the camera with glee 😊

Any woman can have a mother’s heart, you don’t have to be one to embrace another with that kind of love…
#sikkimdiaries

This gorgeous, wish-fulfilling lake, nestled amongst hills is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists.

Located in Pelling, Sikkim, the lake is maintained by the locals who keep it absolutely clean. The long path leading to the lake is adorned by huge, moss laden trees and these make it a walk worth remembering! Truly a place worth visiting.

Thousands of Buddhist prayer flags flutter in the breeze all over the hills. The spiritual lettering on them is supposed to mingle with the breeze and carry its message of peace and harmony to wherever the wind will take it. It’s a beautiful thought and gladdens the heart!

Sometimes the setting is perfect for some reflection, contemplation or meditation. Imagine elegant mountains shrouded by low-lying clouds and imagine the scene changing every time you blinked! The constant change and the reassuring permanence teach an inspiring lesson..